Balada Op 4

Cesar Cortinas

RomanticObscureballadeAdagio4/4~5 min
H5
Henle (estimated)
RCM 7ABRSM 6

About this piece

Cesar Cortinas was a Uruguayan composer whose work displays a mix of European Romantic traditions and Latin American lyricism. This Ballade is defined by its introspective, song-like structure.

Teacher notes

Independence between the active left-hand accompaniment and the singing right-hand melody is the primary technical requirement.

Technical focus

cantabileleft-hand-independencerubato

Mood

lyricalserenenostalgic

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Balada Op 4

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 5 pieces (Late intermediate) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Balada Op 4 by Cesar Cortinas?

Balada Op 4 is rated Henle level 5 of 9 — late intermediate repertoire, roughly ABRSM grades 6–7. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 7.

What level do I need to play Balada Op 4?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 5 — meaning you can already play level 4–5 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Balada Op 4?

A typical performance of Balada Op 4 lasts about 5 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Balada Op 4?

Balada Op 4 is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Balada Op 4?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Berceuse by Georges Bizet, Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Fauré by Maurice Ravel, Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Fauré, M.74 by Maurice Ravel — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.